Combined engine stop motion, visual alarm, and condenser for motordriven vehicles



June 21, 1927. 1,633,156

ANTUNES A. COMBINED ENGINE STOP MOTION, VISUAL ALARM, AND CONDENSER FOR MOTOR DRIVEN VEHICLES Filed Jan. 19. 1922 Patented June 21, 1927.

UNITE-D I STATES PATENT OFFICE.

"ALBERTO eNrUnES, ornos'ron, A S CHUSETTS. AsSIeNoE TO VINCENTE I GONSALVES, E BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

COMBINED ENGINE S'ro'r Morrow, vrSuAL ALARM, Aim CONDENSER FOR Moron- I I DRIVEN VEHICLES.

Application filed January 19, 1922. Serial No. 530,328.

This invention relates to a combined engine stop motion, visual alarm, and condenser for motor driven vehicles.

Among the objects of the invention is to produce a device of simple structure that maybe readily applied to existing .motor vehicles and which is of such arrangementas to cause a stoppage of the engine at such times as thewater in the radiator hasreached a dangerous low level and becomes heated to anqapproximately predetermined degree.

A further object being to stop the engine as above explained and at the same time provide for the escape ofsteam to the atmosphere to thereby call attention to the cause of engine stoppage.

A still further object of theinvention is to produce a device having the above named qualities together with a chamber adapted to collect and condense steam or vapor and return the condensation to the radiator for further cooling purposes. I

It is a common occurrence in motor driven vehicles for the Water in the radiator thereof to become dangerously low due to evaporation or leakage, and at such times overheating of the engine is apt to occur even to the extent of causing undue expanslon of the pistons,- and therefore scoring of the cylinders, if not complete stoppage of the engine on account of the pistons freezing therein.

In the event of the pistons freezing a cracked cylinder generally results and therefore it is an especial object of this invention to provide means to stop the engine automatically before the danger point has been arrived at. As engine stoppage is not uncommon through other faults such as lack of fuel or improper ignition, this invention includes a visual alarm which is arranged to operate at about the same time the engine stopping means; above referred to, acts to thereby indicate the cause of engine stoppage; V c

Occasionaly it happens that the Water in the radiator, becomes somewhat heated,

though not dangerously, but sufiieiently to form vapor which at present escapes to the atmosphere and is lost, or the condensation thereof is lost, andv if this continues for a.

considerable time it will be readilyseen that thewater of the radiator would lac-very soon depleted. This is, of course," ObJQGtlOIlflblG,

but it is even more so when, as in the winter time, alcohol or similar anti-freezing liquids or compounds are mixed with the water and 1t 1s found that they, too, evaporate un der the above conditions.

a description of the drawings and the claims hereinafter given.

Of the drawings: Figure 1 represents in side elevation the present invention as applied to a vehicle radiator and for the purpose of explanation a sufiicient portion of a well known ignition system is shown indi-agram.

Figure 2 a front elevation of the device shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 a section on the line 33 Figure 2. V 7

Figure 4 a detail to be referred to.

Like characters designate like parts throughout the several figures of the draw- 1112's.

Referring to the drawings:

The device herein shown is a convenient one for the purpose of explanation, but it will be understood. that the shape, size and arrangement might bechanged to suit the taste or desire without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The body of the device 10 is shown as secured to the usual cap 11 of the inlet nipple 12 of the radiator 13 which may be of any usual or suitable form or constructio'ii.

v In this instance the body 10 is composed of a circular band 14: to which the. conical side members 15 are secured, which have extending therefrom. the wings on fins 16.

, The fins 16 while somewhat ornamental also serve as heat radiating means and tend to bank the air in frontof the device 10 whenthe vehicle is in motion and form back drafts or currents to strike the rear of the device to thereby facilitate in the cooling process. Fast with the cap 11 and consequently the band 14 at the lower part thereof is a pipe 17 shown as extending downwardly into the nipple 12 in direct communication with the radiator 13 and upwardly into the chamber formed in the body portion 10. Said pipe 17 is open ended and has perforations 18 as indicated near the bottom of said chamber.

Upon the formation of steam or vapor in the radiator 13 it will rise and find its way through pipe 17 into the chamber of body 10 where it will he condensed, the liquid thereof flowing back to the radiator through holes 18.

While it is a common occurrence for the water to become heated to the extent of formiim steam or vapor without injury to the engine, it is also a common fault on the part of vehicle operators to take a chance and continue to run the engine, even though the escape of steam indicates lack of water in the radiator, poor circulation thereof, or some other equally serious trouble therewith, until such time as the engine stops because of. freezing pistons.

The present invention includes means to prevent the freezing of pistons, due to the above causes, by the use of steam, to actuate devices that may be mechanical but are preferably electrical, to cause the stoppage of the engine before the danger point has been arrived at.

A simple means is herein shown which might be installed on existing vehicles with but little trouble, the services of an expertnot being necessary.

At the top of the body 10 is secured a short open-ended pipe 20 so arranged as to protrude into the chamber of the said body and upwardly therefrom sufficiently to receive an ornamental cap 21 of insulating material. The said pipe 20 being counterbored at 22 to form a shoulder to normally support a metallic valve-like member 23.

The said cap 21 being centrally bored at 24- to snugly fit over the pipe 20 in such manner as to be removable, but fitting sufficiently tight to withstand any degree of steam pressure apt to be generated in the radiator 13.

The valve member itwill be understood normally acts as a closure for the top end of the pipe 20, thus preventing the escape of vapor or steam from the body of the device 10, but may be forced from its seat to contact with a screw 25 securing one end of screw 25, see Figure 4, which forms a terminal for and secures the wire 26 to the cap 21.

In Figure l is seen in diagram a portion of an ignition system used in a well known motor car. The battery E, coil C, and dis tributor timer D are shown as connected in a one wire system in which is also situated an ignition control switch not herein shown. lVhen the valve 23 is seated as seen in Figure 3 electrical energy is free to pass from the battery B through coil C, distributor D to the spar; plugs, not shown, through the wires 30, 81, 32 and 33.

hen, however, a pressure of steam has been generated of sufiicient power to unseat the valve 23 andcause it to contact with the screw 25, the electrical energy will be diverted from its course through the coil and distributor to the wire 26, device 10 to the radiator 13, where it will. be grounded. lVith this state of affairs it will be evident that the engine must stop and the reason therefor will be indicated to the operator by the escape of steam through holes 34: in the cap 21.

It is obvious that in so far as this inven tion is concerned the system of wiring of a vehicle is unimportant so long as the contact of the valve 23 and screw 25 cause a stoppage of the engine.

It is not the intention to limit the invention to the precise construction shown and described but rather to claim broadly in a motor vehicle means to cause stoppage of an engine or motor by the use of steam generated by the overheating of said engine.

As it is necessary in the present instance to remove the device 10 when the radiator is replenished, the cap 21 is made removable and to safeguard the valve 28 from loss, a wire 35 depends therefrom to which is pivoted a cross bar 36. Said bar is located a proper distance from the lower end of pipe 20 to permit of proper actuation of said valve, but prevents it from being wholly withdrawn from said pipe.

This is a simple method of retaining the valve in place and is readily inserted in the pipe 20 by swinging bar 36 till. parallel with wire 35, after which it will resume the position shown in the drawing.

Having described the invention I claim:

1. In a device of the class described, in combination, a motor; a radiator; a chamber removably mounted thereon adapted to condense steam; said chamber having an outlet that is normally closed; a closure device for said outlet; and means whereby a movement of said closure device will cause stoppage of said motor.

2. In a device of the class described, in combination, a motor; a radiator having an inlet thereto; a cap for said inlet having a steam condensing chamber mounted thereon,

said chamber having an outlet thereto; a valve in said outlet adapted to be operated upon a predetermined pressure in said chamher; and means whereby the operation of said valve will cause stoppage of said motor.

3. In a device of the class described, a motor; a radiator; a steam condenser communicating with said radiator; and. means including an electric circuit automatically operated, whereby a predetermined pressure of steam in said condenser will cause stoppage of said motor.

4. In a device of the class described, a motor; a radiator; a steam condenser communicating with said radiator; and means including an electric circuit automatically operated, whereby a predetermined pressure of steam will cause stoppage of said motor and indicate the reason of said stoppage.

In a device of the class described, a motor; a radiator; a steam condenser communicating with said radiator; an outlet in said condenser; a valve normally closing said outlet but adapted to be opened by steam pressure; an ignition system for said motor; and means whereby a predetermined steam pressure in said condenser will actuate said valve to cause a temporary cutout of said ignition system.

6. In a device of the class described, a

motor; a radiator; a condensing chamber having an outlet, mounted on said radiator; means to conduct condensation from said chamber to said radiator; an ignition system for said engine; a valve in said chamber outlet adapted to be opened at a predetermined pressure in said chamber; and electrical means coacting with said valve adapted to temporarily nullify the action of said igni' tion system upon valve opening.

7. In a device of the class described, in combination, a motor; a radiator; a chamber having an outlet mounted thereon adapted to condense steam; a closure for said outlet; and means whereby movement of said closure device will cause stoppage of said motor and simultaneously indicate the reason of said stoppage.

Signed by me at Boston, Mass, this 16th day of January, 1922.

ALBERTO ANTUNES. 

